A mob comprising supporters of Andhra Pradesh’s ruling Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) attacked the office of a Telugu newspaper in Kurnool city for publishing an article against a party MLA.
The incident has been condemned by Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president Chandrababu Naidu and Andhra Pradesh Congress chief YS Sharmila.
The incident occurred on Tuesday at the premises of Eenadu newspaper. The article was written against Panyam MLA Katasani Rambhupal Reddy.
Several YSRCP activists staged a protest in front of the office and demanded the arrest of media baron Ramoji Rao, who owns the newspaper.
The mob reportedly destroyed the name plate and windows of the office, besides attempting to barge into the premises.
Upon receiving information, the police rushed to the spot and immediately tried to control the situation. No police complaint has been filed in the case yet.
In a post on X, Chandrababu Naidu condemned the attack and accused YSRCP chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, of instigating his followers to attack the press and party workers from the Opposition.
“Strongly condemn the heinous attack on Eenadu office at Kurnool by followers of the ruling party MLA. This follows the recent barbaric act where a photographer and journalist of Andhra Jyothy and TV5 were brutally attacked, causing serious injuries. With a massive defeat looking imminent,” the TDP president said.
“Jagan Reddy is rabble-rousing his followers and instigating them to attack the press and party workers from the Opposition. These acts of violence, or rather, government-sponsored terrorism are a last ditch effort to create fear amongst people as the state goes for election in 50 days. Andhra Pradesh is witnessing a complete law and order breakdown that has never happened before,” he further said.
Meanwhile, YS Sharmila, who is also the Chief Minister’s sister, called the incident “inhumane” and a “deliberate” attempt to “take away the freedom of the press”.
“They (YSRCP) cannot digest the facts… Attacks on journalists and newspaper offices are routine under the YSRCP regime. An attack on press representatives is like an attack on democracy. The state government should apologise to the seriously injured journalist. The perpetrators of the attack should be identified, and strict action should be taken. The government should bear the medical expenses and support the family,” she said.